KAMPALA – Former Minister for Ethics and Integrity Miria Matembe was trounced in the elections for Member of Parliament to represent the elderly in an election that took place at Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Kabojja Campus in Kampala.
The race for the National Female Representative for Older Persons to Parliament was between two candidates; Dr Miria Matembe who was contesting on the independent ticket and National Resistance Movement’s Ms Peggy Joy Waako a retired social worker and a renowned activist for older persons’ welfare.
According to the results, Ms Waako polled 640 votes, while Matembe got 56 votes leaving an overwhelming distance between the only two contestants in the race. At least 703 delegates participated in the elections.
Matembe was once in parliament representing Mbarara and also served as a minister in Museveni’s government before falling out bitterly in 2003.
Falling the fallout, she retired from active politics in 2006 and concentrated on general activism.
In August last year, Parliament Okayed the creation of five seats for elderly persons, one of which was ring-fenced for women and four for Regional representatives. According to official results, the five seats have been taken by the NRM party.
Matembe later declared that God had recalled her to serve her people, hence a decision to return to elective politics.
“I have been seeing the elderly suffering on TV. I see them crying, being chased out of the land. Children are beating them, others are being chased by their fathers. So, I have been feeling so bad and so I said surely, because me when I have a platform, I get up and fight for these people,” she said then.
“I was inside my house and I didn’t know they were intending to bring members for elderly to Parliament. Then I saw them in Parliament debating for a national and female MP for the elderly. So, I said that this is God calling me to go and defend the cause of the elderly. The elders have been crying out and I want to say that God has heard them and is calling me to go and be their voice of hope,” she added.
